The World - News from Jan. 1, 1988

A second relief convoy of 184 vehicles arrived in Khost after the Soviet-backed Afghan government said it had broken the long rebel siege of the eastern garrison town, official Kabul radio said. The radio said the convoy from the Paktia provincial capital of Gardez had brought 1,423 tons of foodstuffs and consumer goods. The first relief convoy reached Khost on Wednesday. But spokesmen for Pakistan-based guerrilla parties, which had blockaded the region for more than eight years, said the siege was continuing, and the government and Soviet forces were bogged down about 20 miles from Khost. Kabul radio said authorities plan to send 10,000 tons of supplies to Khost in the next five days in daily convoys of 150 to 190 vehicles.